Development of an equine muscle condition score

Background Muscle mass influences performance and health in horses. It is important to be able easily evaluate muscle Objectives To develop an equine condition score (MCS) used by veterinarians, horse owners, trainers other people involved management training. Study design Observational, cross-sectional study. Methods Twenty-five Thoroughbred horses at different training levels were included. Initial assessment included body score, height bodyweight. Seven muscles (m. splenius, m. brachiocephalicus, multifidus, longissimus dorsi, gluteus medius, semitendinosus tensor fascia latae) imaged using ultrasonography measured. Repeatability of ultrasonographic measurements was tested advance measuring each 10 times two sizes compared between groups; trained untrained determine difference mass. Horses subsequently ranked according measured mass, palpable visual differences ranks identified. A 5-point MCS developed. The independent, blinded operator all 25 Results Ultrasonographic measurement had a coefficient variation under 5%. All significantly correlated except for which not multifidus. larger than brachiocephalicus splenius. After testing, minor adjustments made optimise usability the score. Main limitations study population consisted very similar Further studies are needed test reliability breeds, disciplines, scores health. Conclusion This resulted that could identify resulting systems developed independently from our study, thus strengthening findings.